The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will see Noakhali Express make their tournament debut, with Shykat Ali appointed as captain for the inaugural season. While Jaker Ali had been discussed as a potential leader in the days leading up to the announcement, the franchise, owned by Desh Travels, ultimately selected Shykat for the role. Noakhali Express confirmed the decision in a statement on Thursday, 25 December.
Earlier in the day, the franchise faced controversy during a practice session when head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon and assistant coach Talha Jubayer walked out, leaving the ground in a CNG auto-rickshaw. The coaches later packed their bags at the hotel and booked flights back to Dhaka, with Talha having even purchased airline tickets. By the afternoon, both coaches returned to the field and the team completed their training. Sujon described the incident as a misunderstanding, saying, “We made a hasty decision in the heat of the moment.”
On the same morning, Chattogram Royals, whose ownership was recently handed over to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), announced their captain. Spinner and all-rounder Mahedi Hasan has been named to lead the team, providing experience and leadership as the franchise prepares for the tournament’s opening fixtures.
